Gale- RTKR Oct 5th-Feeling Lost-13 days post op

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mtngal67

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I'm not even sure how to begin posting as I'm sitting here in tears, not from the pain, because honestly I've been pretty darn lucky that I haven't had much of that, but because it's just been such a relief to find this group. I've spent hours reading posts from others and trying to piece together some sense of all of this "recovery" Mystery.

I had a decent stay in the hospital, everyone was nice, attentive and helpful as far as taking care of me at the moment. Had surgery Monday, Oct 5th, and went home Thursday Oct. 8th.

I did not have a machine bending my knee, and they didn't have compression stockings big enough to fit me (I'm a big gal 220 -even after losing 60 pounds trying to "get ready" for this surgery) No one made any big deal about wearing the stockings, so I'm -still- not sure it this is key or not... my dad had the same surgery, both knees one at a time, so he gave me his, which are super tight, but I can manage to stuff myself into them. But honestly, I've only worn them about 3 times for about 3-4 hours each time.

The car ride home was truamatic, I don't know if it was mental, or physical or most likely a mix of both. I had a hell of a time getting into my Ford Expedition, just could not bend my knee at all enough to get my leg into the car. After finally scooting in far enough to get in al the way and readjusting, it was just extremely uncomfortable the whole 45 mile drive home :( I bawled my eyes out half the ride home and must have apologized to my hubby a dozen times along the way.

The first few days home I had a LOT of trouble getting out of bed (which we have set up a twin in the livingroom while I'm recovering, cuz I cannot get up into my bed in my room) it seemed like anytime I got in or out of bed, even with help, I was having sharp intense pain. The third day home, we switched the side of the room the bed is on so I'm getting out of bed on my "good" leg, and that helped tons. The second night with this set up, I was able to get myself out of bed on my own. That has done wonders for my morale. (I'm the person who always takes care of everyone else, helps with everyone else's projects, events, etc. so this inability, dependency, and inactivity is messing me up mentally!)

I'm passed the whole hub-bub with giving myself shots in the stomach to prevent blood clots, and my system has adjusted to the pain meds, so I'm not nauseated when taking them. I've also weaned myself down to just taking one oxycodone about every 8 hours or whenever I notice it's starting to feel more uncomfortable than usual.

I guess my biggest issue right now is I just have no idea "where I should be" in my recovery. I know from readng other posts that everyone is different, everyone tollerates things differently, but I've read so many posts where people have 90+ ROM already at this point. I don't really know how to measure this, I'm sure tha'ts something the dr's and PT do, but I'm guessing I'm at about 45-60-ish. I can straighten it all the way with no pain. I can hobble along with my walker just fine, 3-4 laps up and down the hall and no pain, just a little bit of a "clicky" feeling. Even when i get worn out, it's not hurting, it just feels tired. My insision looks really good, and the nurses said I didn't have much bruising, although to me it looks like a lot. I'm sleeping well, which from reading the other posts I know I should be extreemly grateful for, and I do thank God for that blessing!

I do know I have to be patient, and that I've only barely just begun my recovery process... (had no idea it took 2 weeks per hour of anesthesia just to recover from that!) but I just don't know how much ROM I should have by when? Again, I know that's all depending upon the person, but surely there's some... average or something? (hence my lost feeling)

I'm hoping all these "oh my God, what did I get myself into" feelings and fears are just a "newbie knee replacement recovery patient" stage.

I just feel like I need to know "Am I recovering "right" so far?"

Thanks for letting me ramble and vent with people who "know". I eagerly await any comments, suggestions, concerns, advice you have on anything I've mentioned about my situation! And thanks for all the time you all have put in on these boards so people like me can feel like they have some sort of a grip on learning to recover.

Gale
 
Hey Gale and welcome.....Im so sorry it does get dressing .sometimes it a big big surgery........i would try to sit outside for a lil not do anything just a change of scenery........talk with neighbors........You will get past this i promise...........please post when you want we have all been thru it send understand so well..........Do you have family around......, friend have you started pt yet........you are still prob swollen that will take time to go down ya know right now pamper yourself........do you exercises then post or watch a movie...........it is normal atleast for me i just wasn't used to being down all the time........hang in there kiddo im 42........lol...........post anytime........)
 
Hi Gale, I'm 19 days post op for BTKR, I know what you mean, I am really frustrated but I am learning patience. My left knee is great can get probably 100 ROM with that one, but my right knee will not go past about 50 and that is getting me down. I guess we all differ in recovery but just let everyone look after you for a change.
This is a great site, you can always get loads of support and advice at any time day or night, Good Luck with your recovery, you will get there it's still very early days yet.
 
welcome Gale
it sounds like you are doing great. We all have a few bumps in the beginning, actuallly all throughout recovery. it is a very emotional time as well. Try really hard to be taken care of , I know the feeling of being the care taker.
It is time to do your exercises, rest, watch tv etc.
judy
 
Gale, a big welcome and (((HUG))) from your new BoneSmart family. We're here for you, gal....we DEFINITELY understand how you feel cuz we've all been there! Just bring yourself here any old time and we'll help you get through the ups and downs of recovery.

You need to be prepared for that....you will have fabulous days and some that are not so good. Just know that the "not so good" ones come far less frequently as time passes. And the good days are something we celebrate!!

You have had a major assault on your body from the surgery and the anesthetic both. It makes sense that you will feel tired, possibly a little depressed, frustrated - all that stuff - along with the good feelings of loss of knee pain and gaining new mobility. You'll feel better as you start to realize that you are making progress in recovery.

Has your doctor given you any indication about PT? I was able to have home PT almost from the beginning and it really helped with my morale. If the surgeon hasn't said anything about it, call his office and ask for him to write an order. At this stage I think you would benefit from the feedback that a good therapist can give you.

Also, don't be in such a hurry to decrease those pain meds. Some of the feelings you're having can be from a low grade pain that isn't like the sharp twangs, but it takes a toll on your body anyway. I would take them on the schedule set up for you for at least a couple of weeks longer. You will not get physically addicted to them in that short period of time and you will get benefit from them.

When you are in any type of pain - even low grade underlying pain - it can create swelling and inflammation in your body. That in turn creates more pain...it's a cycle. Also, the swelling (even if you don't see it) inside the small compartment of your knee can make gaining ROM almost impossible. This is why it's SO important to keep pain at bay. You don't want to be "feeling uncomfortable" and then take pain meds....that's too late and your body has to play catch up.

Be sure you are icing and elevating your knee as much as you can both day and night. You're doing fine....it's so early in recovery (you knew that, huh!).

But the bottom line is you've come to the right place for caring support and information. We're here for you!
 
Hello Gale and welcome to the BoneSmart family!

First thing I spotted was that you've "weaned yourself down to just taking one oxycodone about every 8 hours or whenever you notice it's starting to feel more uncomfortable than usual." May I ask why?

A very, very important part of being able to recover well and get good ROM is having good pain relief. By that it means that you have to be in bad pain before you take a pill and neither should you cut down on it. Take what the doctor has prescribed you. If you can't flex your knee well enough, it's quite probably because of swelling and you should bear in mind that pain causes swelling and swelling causes pain! So take your pills every 4 hrs regardless for these first few weeks. You should also remember that stiffness and aching is just as much pain as that which you experienced on your journey home! And it needs to be treated.

Are you not going to PT? Most of the American folk on here seem to be doing PT morning, noon and night! I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it. If/when you do go, you need to organise your meds so you take a (full) dose about 90 mins before the appointment.

A little tip - 90 degrees of ROM is a right angle like in this picture ....

[Bonesmart.org] Gale- RTKR Oct 5th-Feeling Lost-13 days post op


and if you can get your foot any further under your thigh, that's 95 or a 100. A 'normal' ROM is reckoned to be 120 or thereabouts but don't fret - at 2 weeks, you're most unlikely to be able to get that far. Could take 4-8 weeks to get there. But controlling the pain and swelling is key to that, as I said before.

Please don't worry about the stockings. There is a body of evidence growing that they don't actually work in the anti-clot department! And since hospitals could save a few million pounds every year by not dispensing them, I have every expectation that very soon they will be old hat! It's much more important that you do the following:

1. elevate - you haven't mentioned this. SO important to elevate and that doesn't mean just plopping your feet on a little foot stool! It means having them up above the
level of your hip like this

[Bonesmart.org] Gale- RTKR Oct 5th-Feeling Lost-13 days post op


2. Icing - you never mentioned that either and that is equally important. You said you'd been reading the threads so you must have seen our mantra - ice and elevate! As much as you can.

3. exercises - you must have been shown these in the hospital so I won't go into them here. But you should be trying to bend that knee some on your own. More later if you need it!
 

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Hey, Jamie - one minute between our posts! We're hot stuff, eh? :hehe:
 
One minute, a couple of continents and a big ocean between.....but our brains were one! Gale will think we're crazy!
 
Gale...Welcome to BoneSmart. I am six months out but still remember the first few weeks. I really had to fight with myself about the pain meds. I am a strong woman...had two kids with no meds...but that was transient pain. This is a nagging real hurt..you are not going to want to skimp on your meds. I finally stopped taking mine at about 7 weeks.

You have embarked on a life changing experience. You may have depressed days and want to cry all day. You will have great days when things are really great. You may not sleep well for a few weeks. All these things are perfectly normal.

My mantra was...ice--elevate--snooze---ice---elevate- snooze somemore...exercise...ice---etc ecc.

All the best as you recover. We are all here for each other:gphg:
 
Hello Gail,
It is so nice to meet you!! Sorry you are feeling alittle down. But that really is normal. I think Jamie and Jo. Have explained it all quite well. Your body is still in shock:shk:
And it will take a little time to get everything back to where you want it to be. But we are all here anytime you are feeling down or just want to talk.:wink: There are a great bunch of people here that want to help you through your recovery. You are still early into this. It really does get better.:wahey:
 
Kim- Thanks for the sympathy, understanding, and pat on the back. I'm 42 too, well I will be on the 23rd. Yes I'm still swollen and I think you're right, it's just the complete halting of my normal activities that has me all pent up, frustrated and bored to tears. Thanks goodness for this group, my laptop, and wireless internet! I've never been much of a TV watcher, and I'm surprised with so many channels, there's never anything good on! LOL

Dawnie- WOW! I cannot even imagine having both knees done at the same time! What a trooper! I've read a lot of your posts and have gained a lot of insight from them! Thanks!

Judy- I'm having lots of issues with being emotional right now. Just sometimes feel weepy without any provocation at all. I'm blaming it all on the drugs lol

Jamie- Thanks for the welcome! After a good night's sleep I'm feeling like my attitude is a little better adjusted... for the moment anyway :) I have to admit I was super surprised to see anyone had responded to my post so quickly.
I see my Dr. on Tuesday morning, I expect he'll take out the staples and torture me a bit, then send me off with instructions for continued torture at PT lol.
As far as the pain meds go, I tend to have really strong effects to them and my knee just really isn't hurting that much, but what you said makes sense so I think I'll take them a little more regularly and see if anything changes. The thought of getting addicted to them never crossed my mind, I just didn't think I needed to take as much. Thanks for your advice!

Josephine- Thanks for your insightful reply, pictures even too! Between you and Jamie, I'm planning on taking my pain meds a bit more regularly even though I haven't been experiencing "real" pain, I hadn't thought about the whole, underlying uncomfortableness being a drain as well.
Swelling is an issue and I've been icing fairly constantly (about 20 min per hour on and off thorugh the day) since reading about the importance of it here in this group. I haven't been elevating, I can't seem to find anything comfortable that doesn't bend my knee, so I've just been laying with it straight flat out. I'll have to work on that.
As far as exercises, I wasn't given much direction at the hospital at all. "walk as much as you can without overdoing it" and "work on bending it when you're sitting up, and keeping it straight when laying down" (can you see why I'm feeling lost? lol)

Barb- Thanks for the encouragement and making me feel normal lol
Thanks for all the comments, encouragement and support, I feel a lot better having read your advice and will make some adjustments! Looking forward to chatting with you all more! I'll let you know how my appointment goes Tuesday.
 
Calling all Angels-
Thanks for your reply, it's really nice to communicate with people who really do know how it feels. It's been a great mood booster!
Gale
 
Hi Gale, I haven't had the TKR yet, (5 days to go), so I can't help you there. I just want to welcome you to the forum. These gals and guys here are great, so full of info about every topic. In a week or so I'll be asking YOU for encouragement.
Fell better sweetie, and post frequently, there is always someone here.
 
Hi Gale, Pleasure to meet you!! I hope your feeling GREAT today. Your right,
this Forum Is fantastic. The wealth of Information and knowledge is unbelievable!
Any time your feeling down, or have a question about virtually ANYTHING!
You can always find Solace, and answers. Have an AWESOME day, and
Best Wishes,:thmb:
 
I never even SAW Solace here, is she a knee or a hip replacement? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
 
Gale--I found this site I think almost a year before my surgery and checked it every day! It's wonderful!

You will get an answer to any question you have, or directed to the right place to get it.

I am about 7-1/2 weeks out now, and don't feel like I'm doing that well. But at a couple of weeks?? You are still traumatized!! You are doing great! I hope you get a home physical therapist as wonderful as mine was. They make all the difference in the world. I think they are so important, because they really get that first decent "motion" out of your new joint!

You're gonna do great! And since you don't like TV, just stay here and search for different things, look in the stickies.....it's wonderful. We all know how you feel, and this forum should really make you feel better about alot of things.

I used to worry alot about ROM and all that and if I was doing ok at whatever week I was at. (Well, I still do) but everyone heals differently and at different speeds.

The ride home?????? Sounds miserable! There is no way I could have gotten up into a vehicle that large!! 2 weeks after my surgery I had to go to my OS's office, and with a traffic jam and everything, it took over 45 minutes one way and I (Like you) was crying the entire trip. My daughter was freaking out.

Welcome to the forum!

:thmb:

Beth
 
Dear Gale,

I'm sorry that you have felt so bad! I am almost 6 weeks out, and I remember how terribly depressed and overwelmed I felt at the very stage you are. I had home health care and they told me to take a second pain pill for awhile every four hours. My home physical therapist thought I should get to 100 or 110 and pushed me very hard. My swelling was really bad and that kept me from getting very good ROM. Now it is finally swelling much less and the ROM is very slowly improving. I think with much swelling you can't get very good ROM. I found that I get some help from icing and elevating. I elevate my leg by putting my foot up on the back of my couch for 20 minutes or so. Anyway, there are lots of helpful people here at Bonesmart who will help you with any problems you have.
It really does get better as time goes on--not all of us progress real quickly at first but gradually we will catch up. Keep us posted how you are doing!

Bridget
 
We all feel down sometimes. Your surgery is so recent it sounds like you are doing well.

As for meds, use them if you need them. That is why they were prescribed.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Thanks for all the encouragement, and making me feel completely NORMAL!! It's amazing what an attitude adjustment you all have given me in such a short time, I'm retty sure my long nap this afternoon helped out too haha! I walked up and down the hall a bunch of times this afternoon with the walker and actually managed a few lengths of walking where I hardly even had a limp, that felt really good!

Can't wait to read and learn more!

Thanks everyone!!
Gale
 
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